In addition to our school programs, the Environmental Volunteers engage the community through Events, Public Programs, Art Exhibits, and Community Partnerships.A
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We continue to offer community programs during COVID-19. Our Event calendar remains active, our new After School Nature Walks provide a covid-19 safe family learning opportunity, and we will continue to support community partners with programs however we can!
Community Programs
Family Nature Walks
Environmental Volunteers’ Family Nature Walks program for 2021/2022 is designed to help students and their families get to know our local city parks and open space areas. Small family groups will be guided by a knowledgeable environmental educator during a 90-minute (covid-safe) exploration of a local park. These small groups will be introduced to fun nature-based activities, and a chance to learn more about the plants and animals all around us. Walks are free but registration is required to guarantee a spot. Family Nature Walks are intended for children ages 6-11.
Click here for more information and registration! >
Community Partnerships
The EV is always seeking new Bay Area community organizations to provide programs for. We provide specialized and adaptable hands-on nature education programs for a variety of audiences. Our programs can be offered at our EcoCenter, or we can come to you!
Visit our Community Programs page to find out more >
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Some of our past and current community partners: Catholic Charities Youth Club, Justice Outside, Palo Alto Friendship Circle, San Jose Public Library, Siena Youth Center, Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula, College Track, YMCA of East Palo Alto
Public Events
The EV provides monthly public events from our EcoCenter. Each program brings something new, and they are open to everyone! Past event experiences have included engaging participants with fun activities about wind and weather, leading classes on nature art, live birds of prey and marine animals, canoe trips, guided hikes, interviews with researchers, and more! Many events are free, and all events are displayed on our event calendar. The event calendar is regularly updated with new events as they are scheduled, so keep checking back so you don’t miss anything!
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Visit Our Event Calendar Here!
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Starting in Fall 2020, our public events will be COVID safe. This includes many events being virtual.
Foothills Nature Preserve – Trail Ambassador Program
In partnership with the City of Palo Alto, the Environmental Volunteers “Trail Ambassador Program” provides volunteer-led engagement of Foothills Nature Preserve visitors – expanding their knowledge and sparking interest in the park as well as providing helpful information and resources. You can find our volunteers at Foothills Nature Preserve every Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and Sunday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm when volunteers are available (with exceptions for holidays). You can visit us at our nature-discovery table at Boronda Lake, or see us out on the trails. We look forward to getting you excited about the wonderful ecology there! If you would like to volunteer as an EV Trail Ambassador, please visit our volunteering page.
Information on Foothills Nature Preserve can be found on the official City of Palo Alto website – click here.
Art Exhibits
In addition to our monthly public events, the EcoCenter also hosts the artwork of local, nature-inspired artists! For each exhibit, nature themed artwork will be displayed in a free, public art reception. These receptions are free and open to everyone, will include refreshments, and the artist themself will be there! After the reception, the artwork will remain on display in our gallery for 1-2 months and may be viewed during open hours. Come see the beautiful, nature-inspired work that local artists have created! If you are a Bay Area artist and would like to display your work in our EcoCenter, please contact us!
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View any upcoming art exhibits on our event calendar here.
Interested in Volunteering?
Interested in engaging in the above activities as a volunteer? Want to engage youth groups in fun after-school activities, lead nature walks, or guide visitors through art galleries as an EcoCenter docent? Please go here!